In the first decade of the 20th century, boxer Jack Jefferson (James Earl Jones) beats Frank Brady in Reno and becomes the first black heavyweight champion of the world. To the consternation of his common-law wife Clara and the militant Scipio, the irrepressible fighter takes as his mistress white divorcée Eleanor Bachman (Jane Alexander).
After crossing the Illinois-Wisconsin state line with Eleanor, Jefferson is arrested in a hotel, charged under the Mann Act, and sentenced to three years in the state penitentiary at Joliet. Disguised as a member of a black baseball team, however, Jefferson escapes to Canada.
Accompanied by Eleanor he travels to London, where he is refused a license to fight. In Paris he beats his white opponent so badly that no one will challenge him. A pariah, he journeys to Germany. In Budapest the boxer is so reduced in circumstances as to play the title role in a cabaret performance of Uncle Tom's Cabin.
"The Great White Hope" was nominated for two Academy Awards, including Best Actress in a Leading Role for Jane Alexander and Best Actor in a Leading Role for James Earl Jones.
Jane Alexander will be in person to host the film screening and will receive the festival's Lifetime Achievement Award at the event.